By Oviri Kelvin, Udeh Vivian
The President of Youth Organization for Self-Sustenance in Nigeria (YOSN), Amb. Stanley Power said he is determined to empower Nigerian youths with the requisite skills through capacity-building and mentorship in ‘technopreneurship’ programmes.
This was made known in a Capacity Building Conference held in Abuja at the International Conference Centre with the theme: “Fast Tracking Nigeria’s Digital Economy through the Expanded and Inclusive Empowerment of Aspiring and Emerging Youth Entrepreneurs”, the trumpet gathered.
According to the President, the conference seeks to engender the creation of small and medium enterprises through tech startups which is a reliable portal to boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment reduction and enhance the welfare of the entire citizenry.
Amb Stanley decried the high rate of unemployment amongst young graduates and the vicious cycle of lack, poverty, and hunger that has led to anger, frustration, violence, radicalization, and extremism amongst Nigerian youths.
He stressed that the over-dependence on the government for employment after acquiring a formal education without attaining requisite capacity-building training is a major menace hindering the development of Nigerian youths.
The President noted that the 2-day capacity building programme will help train and mentor 500 applicants who have enlisted to be trained in tech startups.
While he acknowledged the assistance and collaboration of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, (NASENI) in making the conference a reality, Amb Stanley also applauded Engr. Frank Chukwuemeka, Chairman, New Vital Network Nig. Ltd for his contributions in offering to train the 500 beneficiaries.
The events hosted various guest speakers from government agencies and parastatals, media, youth organizations, private investors, non-governmental agencies, humanitarian agencies, and security agencies.
Guest speakers at the event and the Managing Director of Elomaz Communication, publisher of The Trumpet Newspaper, Mr Edafewotu Endurance urged the trainees to key into the technology-driven Knowledge Economy.
Commending the effort of YOSN, Edafewotu described the gesture of the tech organization towards training and mentoring 500 Nigerians as laudable, adding that “it is a good step in the right direction”.
He stressed that the 500 trainees through what is termed the multiplier effect, will in turn train and pass on the knowledge gained in this workshop to other persons.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), represented by Hajia Basira Hassan outlined the government’s commitment to implementing the national digital economy policy for Nigeria.
According to the DG NITDA, the government’s mandate through the agency has always helped in creating the frameworks for ‘technopreneurship’.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, also acknowledged the gains inherent in investing in Nigerian Youths.
Speaking on behalf of the minister, Mr Ugwoke outlined the government’s efforts and programs aimed at training, empowering, and maximizing the potential of the youths, The Trumpet gathered.
The Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr Dikko Umaru Radda, in his address pinpointed that entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programmes can be very effective if leveraged on technology.
Radda, who acknowledged the importance of Nigerian youths, describing them as the centre of development of any nation, enjoined them to think critically, start small, and start now.
Also, the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Hajia Ramatu Aliu, represented by Hajia Asabe Umar, urged the youths to leverage technology to grow their entrepreneurial skills and build the nation.
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The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anatomy Group Nig Plc urged the youths to identify and harness their talents & skills in technology to achieve great exploits. He avowed that greatness comes at a price and admonished trainees to be different, stand out and have a vision.
The National President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Solomon Adodo, and Managing Director of EchoScan Nig Ltd, Dr Ayodele Benson, in their goodwill messages, encouraged the participants to take the training seriously as it is the springboard to an ocean of opportunities.
